Expert systems offer school possibilities beyond relieving employees of routine work. In the future, expert systems will become tools for budgeting, staff training, and teaching. Describes a system developed at Utah State University, "Mandate Consultant," that helps school staff review the legally mandated steps in developing individualized…

This paper discusses methodological issues and strategies that underlie the development of expert software systems that provide research assistance to school practitioners of action research. The following key issues related to the development of expert systems software are examined: developing a knowledge base that represents research expertise;…

Presented is an overview of "Boxer," a multipurpose computational user-friendly medium, the focus of this special issue presenting research involving its use. With its roots in LOGO, the design of Boxer is described and an overview of the articles in the issue is given. (MDH)

This book shows how and why the computer is so well suited to producing discovery learning environments. An examination of the literature outlines four basic modes of instruction: didactic, Socratic, inquiry, and discovery. Research from the fields of education, psychology, and physiology is presented to demonstrate the many strengths of…

This paper discusses educational technology and the structural changes that society must make to accommodate it. The paper begins by examining technology trends, including the exponential rate of change in the information industry, the growing ubiquitousness of computers, inequities in U.S. schools, and technology characteristics (e.g., the open…

This paper describes the Educational Software Components of Tomorrow (ESCOT) project. The focus of the project was on principles that support problem-solving and learner-centered design issues, and the purpose was to garner lessons from a large educational software development project to share with the learning sciences and other interested…

New approaches to teaching and learning are common, but nothing will change unless these ideas are brought to the frontlines of the classroom. Facing the challenge to incorporate varied innovative teaching and learning strategies, set statewide and schoolwide goals, and implement standards, schools need a systematic, consistent framework and high…

Focuses on several examples of software design that have been pedagogically successful and have demonstrated what is possible in software design and online learning. Contrasts are made with some examples of the current push into e-learning and how best to structure learning environments to ensure student participation and high quality learning…

This article examines software development techniques used by special educators through the perspective of the software life cycle. The paper argues that traditional programming techniques are becoming less and less feasible for software development within the typical funding levels and timelines of federal initiatives. More use of commercial…

Defines hypermedia and related terminology and provides an overview of the history of the development of hypertext, hypermedia, and associated technology. Discusses implications of use of hypermedia in education, such as possible change in the structure of the classroom and the role of teachers. (JKP)

Between 1977 and 1981, the Basic Skills Component of Research for Better Schools worked with education agencies to develop a research-based approach to improving basic skills instruction and student achievement. Called Achievement Directed Leadership (ADL), the approach was field tested extensively in three school districts during the 1981-82…

Describes over 25 firms that have listed software applications that can be used by schools. Each listing includes the name of the software and a general description of its utility. Tables provide detailed listings of the software's functions, the type of support the company provides, and the hardware on which the software can be run. (MLF)

Contains articles on software products targeted at girls, the use of technology for the transformation of schooling, and tips on teaming up with software developers. Regular features include dispatches from the school-technology frontier, information about school boards' uses of "groupware," a review of software reading programs, and Internet…

After an introductory overview of innovations in the use of computers in education, nine papers focus on the following aspects of computer use: (1) the computer in the curriculum; (2) factors influencing the introduction and integration of computers in education; and (3) research aspects, including needs for research. (SLD)

An introduction to the use of computers for educational administrative purposes is offered in this book, which presents basic systems methodologies which can be used for selecting and designing computer applications. Traditional systems analysis techniques are used to illustrate the design of microcomputer applications at the school and district…